Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a dirt separator. The dirt separator includes a chamber having an inlet through which dirt-laden fluid enters and an outlet through which cleansed fluid exits the chamber. A disc located at the outlet rotates about a rotational axis and comprises holes through which the cleansed fluid passes.

Abstract: Handling frequently accessed pages is disclosed. An indication is received of a stalling event caused by a requested portion of memory being inaccessible. It is determined that the requested portion of memory is a frequently updated portion of memory. The stalling event is handled based at least in part on the determination that the requested portion of memory is a frequently updated portion of memory.

Abstract: A content mediating server receives from a client device a request for a next content item to be selected based on a content event relating to a current content item. The content mediating server generates requests for content from content providing servers providing content of corresponding types, and receives from each content providing server a content table relating content events in a set of content events to content items. For each content event in the set, the content mediating server selects, from the received tables, a content item, generates a composite content table relating each content event in the set to the selected content item, and transmits the composite table to the client device. The client device, in response to an observed content event relating to the current content item, selects the content item in the composite table corresponding to the observed content event as the next content item.

Abstract: A manipulatable toy puppet is supportable on a human torso and also on a display support in a manner which resembles the torso-supported puppet. The puppet's arms are detachably secured around the manipulator's neck by Velcro-type fasteners, and the puppet's legs are secured about the manipulator's waist by an adjustable elastic band. The puppet figure is made of a soft plush-covered material to simulate animal fur. The display support has a humanoid-like portion which resembles the upper part of a human, and an arm support portion which resembles the upraised human forearm. Hence, the body of the puppet can be supported on the arm support portion, and the puppet's arms and legs can be mounted on the display in a manner which simulates the hugging-type pose in which the puppet is supported on a human being.

Abstract: A manipulative hand puppet in which an object is fastened to the puppet by a flexible elastic string. A flexible hook patch and a flexible pile patch are provided. One patch is secured to the outer surface of the puppet and the other is secured to the outer surface of the object. The puppet is manipulated by grasping the object and tossing the object away from the puppet. The string is thus extended and this causes the object to move back to contact with the puppet, whereupon the patches mate and the object is caught and held to the puppet until again grasped and tossed away from the puppet. Various embodiments simulate a baseball player puppet playing with a baseball object, a football player puppet playing with a football object, and a dog puppet playing with a bone-shaped object.

Abstract: A marionette which, when manipulated, has differential movement of at least one limb relative to the body of the marionette. This is accomplished by providing separate supports, i.e. strings, for the body and the limb which are characterized by being flexible and elastic manipulation strings, with the differential movement being accomplished by providing a first string for the body which has a different and preferably greater degree of elasticity, e.g. is heavier and thicker in cross-sectional area, than the second string attached to the limb. The strings extend to a common member, e.g. a ring, for placing the strings simultaneously under tension and in an extended rectilinear form. When under tension and extended, the first string assumes a rectilinear form aligned proximately with the center of gravity of the body.

Abstract: A stuffed toy animal, having smooth, rounded, humanoid features, and comprised of an outer covering and stuffing material. The toy animal is produced by forming an outer covering having the shape of the stuffed toy animal. The outer covering is comprised of a fabric backed pile fiber material and a laminated fabric. The laminated fabric includes first and third layers comprised of a limp, knitted fabric and a second layer situated therebetween, comprised of a porous, flexible and resilient material having a modulus of elasticity sufficient to stiffen the first and third layers and impart a planar memory to the laminated fabric so that it lays substantially flat and immobilized without curling, the outer surface of the laminated fabric having an even consistency essentially free from bumps, nodes, and/or wrinkles.

Abstract: A disposable trap comprising odorless rubberized glue or like sticky surface for capturing a mouse or like pest, a cover over the surface which has provisions for at least one opening therein for allowing the mouse to enter, is disclosed, wherein a window or like is provided for allowing the user to inspect the interior to see if a mouse is trapped therein, and wherein externally activated internal bait means are provided which bait is stored in an enclosure, is in a sealed condition, but which may be exposed within the covered trap by manipulating an external activator such as a push up pedestal which is pushed up to break a membrane within the trap and expose a change of bait material.